The West Chicago Garden Club

By Ruth Kyme

Our May speaker is Ann Baker. Ann is a certified Environmental Consultant and landscape Design Consultant. During Ann’s presentation; “The Blended Family: Integrating Natives into Traditional Gardens,” we will discover how to incorporate native plants into our gardens without sacrificing our beloved flowers and favorites. Learn how native species can add beauty while supporting pollinators, improving soil and water health, and creating a healthier ecosystem right in your own landscape. We’ll also explore keystone plants and practical ways to choose natives that work well in everyday home gardens.

Everyone is welcome to come to a meeting and learn about our club.

Meeting Location: St Andrew Lutheran Church (NE Corner of Prince Crossing & Geneva Road.)

Meeting Time:

• 6:45PM Arrive & Mingle
• 7:00PM Business Meeting
• 7:15PM Program

By Amanda Skinner

Signs of Spring in the Garden
Some of my favorite spots in the Kruse gardens are the ones that others may not always notice. At this time of year, each corner offers its own quiet beauty, bringing back memories and reminding me how quickly the garden changes from day to day.

The northeast corner is a beautiful shady spot that reminds me of nature walks as a child in Indiana. Hosta, Jacob’s Ladder, white bleeding heart, trillium, and mayapples grow there, creating a woodland feel. Mayapples prefer the same soil conditions as morel mushrooms and seeing them always reminds me that it is the start of morel hunting season.

The east side of the garden feels like a fairytale cottage garden. Lined with lilacs and bridal wreath spirea, it seems to block out the happenings beyond the yard. Naturalized perennial cornflower, allium, hosta, iris, and snow on the mountain add to the charm, making this area feel especially peaceful and serene.

At the entrance of Kruse House, the bridal wreath spirea is in full bloom. The bushes are perfectly placed, highlighting both their beauty and the stairs of the house. I have also noticed the sprouts from the winter sowing projects beginning to emerge, and I’ve been watching them closely as I make my visits to feed our Kruse House cat.

Milkweed is coming along nicely amidst the native bluestar blooms. Soon, monarchs will have plenty of plants as they make their way to our area. Pollinators of all kinds will also find many choices, with blooms opening on perennial cornflower, violets, lilies, roses, wild geranium, and peonies—the state flower of Indiana. Just as in our own yards, it seems a new flower opens each day, offering another sign that spring is fully underway.

As always you are welcome to walk around the garden any day of the week. There is parking behind the garage.  You are also welcome to help garden with our wonderful Kruse crew on Wednesdays from 9 to 11:30am. You do not need to commit to coming every week – just stop by and join the fun.

Our West Chicago Garden Club Plant Sale will be on Saturday, May 16th from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. It will be at the heart of the West Chicago Blooming Fest in Downtown West Chicago.

Most of our plants come from our members’ gardens or are raised in their greenhouses. You will find Natives, Annuals, Perennials, Vegetables, Herbs, and even some small shrubs and trees.  We have many different varieties of Peppers and tomatoes – both Heirloom and Hybrid.

The sale will be held Rain or Shine! Arrive early for the best selection – the tent opens at 9:00am sharp.

The Festival is along Main St. in downtown West Chicago.  Our tent is on Galena St with the entrance on Main St.

A PDF Version of the flyer is available to download.